Month: May 2025

KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – New details have emerged about Guy Edward Bartkus, the suspect behind the deadly May 17 bombing at a Palm Springs fertility clinic.

According to a newly released report from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Bartkus had previously expressed ideations of attacking clinics. Investigators say he held anti-natalist beliefs — the view that it is morally wrong to bring new life into the world — and had posted online content supporting those views.

Authorities say the attack on the American Reproductive Centers was premeditated and ideologically motivated. The explosion killed Bartkus and injured four others.

The FBI is continuing its investigation and is urging the public to submit any relevant tips, images or video footage related to the incident.

The full report from the Joint Terrorism Task Force is available below.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Memorial Day is a busy travel day across the country, honoring U.S. military members who died in service.

In the Valley, the weekend also marks one of the last busy foot-traffic days for downtown businesses before a quiet summer. With the heat in the Valley, tourism declines and residents look to cool off elsewhere, leading to decreased visitors in local businesses.

The summer can be difficult economically for these businesses. With increased visitors for Memorial Day weekend, they could see one last peak in foot traffic before the quiet summer.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from businesses on the impact of Memorial Day weekend.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Border Patrol agents seized 113 pounds of methamphetamine after a traffic stop on Highway 86 near Indio, authorities said.

The incident started Monday at around 10:30 a.m. when Indio station agents conducted a traffic stop on a black pickup truck pulling a trailer on northbound Highway 86.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a Border Patrol K-9 trained to detect concealed people and illegal drugs alerted agents to the vehicle and trailer. During an initial search of the trailer, agents found a compartment containing a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

The subject, vehicle, and trailer were transported to the Indio Station for further investigation. A subsequent search of the trailer revealed 36 packages of the crystal-like substance hidden in three compartments in the trailer’s floor

“A sharp-eyed Border Patrol agent from Indio Station and his K-9 partner just took it to the bad guys, and we are proud of them!” said El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino. “The Premier Sector goes to the ends of the earth to stop dangerous drugs such as these – ma and pa America, stay tuned, much more to come!”

The driver was placed under arrest. The vehicle and drugs were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Nearly 10,000 customers were briefly left without power due to an outage in Palm Springs.

According to Southern California Edison’s outage map, 9,738 customers were impacted at one point.

By 6:00 p.m., three customers remained without power.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert X installations by four artists in the 2025 exhibition, which officially closed on May 11, will remain on view alongside works from prior editions, giving visitors a last chance to experience Desert X over Memorial Day weekend and through the summer and early fall.

Now on view through and including June 1, 2025:Agnes Denes, The Living PyramidKimsooja, To Breathe–Coachella ValleyKapwani Kiwanga, Plotting Rest

Now on view through and including October 1, 2025:Jose Dávila, The act of being together 

These works were featured in the 2025 exhibition curated by Artistic Director Neville Wakefield and Co-Curator Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas that activated the desert landscape. Installations by artists from around the globe provided alternative ways of looking at the transformational effects of nature and humanity.

Works from prior editions of Desert X continue on view indefinitely:Felipe Baeza, Finding Home in My Own Flesh (Desert X 2021)Jeffrey Gibson, ALIVE! (Desert X 2017)Armando Lerma, Visit Us in the Shape of Clouds (Desert X 2019)​​Armando Lerma, La fiesta en el desierto (Desert X 2017)

Through October 1, 2025 in Desert Hot Springs: Jose Dávila’s massive, monolithic marble blocks in The act of being together appear splintered across both time and space. Drawing on Robert Smithson’s concept of site/nonsite dialectics, Dávila brings the stone blocks from a quarry a few hundred miles across the U.S.-Mexico border to the Coachella Valley, connecting the two locations by highlighting the void of their origin and the striking presence they create in a foreign landscape. To reach their new home, the blocks had to cross the physical border while also traversing a metaphorical border between the seen and the unseen. Moved by the invisible forces of unknown histories, they evoke the archeological relics of ancient civilizations and the potential future of life beyond our own. 

Jose Dávila, The act of being together, photo by Lance Gerber

Through June 1, 2025 at Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage: The Living Pyramid by pioneering artist and philosopher Agnes Denes is a monumental sculpture and environmental intervention on view at Sunnylands Center & Gardens. This first desert iteration of Denes’s pyramid structure is planted with vegetation that is native to the region. Its structure and appearance have transformed since its installation in November 2024 and continues to evolve according to the slow growth cycles of the desert environment. But it is the life-cycle of the plants – their growth, transformation and eventual death – that animates the pyramid, one of the most iconic forms of human civilization, and in so doing reminds us that within care and nurture can be found the spirit of our endurance.  

Agnes Denes, The Living Pyramid at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, photo by Lance Gerber

Through June 1, 2025 in Desert Hot Springs: To Breathe – Coachella Valley by Kimsooja invites an interaction with the essential elements of the desert: the texture of sand underfoot, the air we breathe, and the light around us. Drawing inspiration from bottaris, the fabric-encased bundles of belongings prominent in her work and in Korean culture, she describes this installation as a “bottari of light.” By wrapping the glass surface in a unique optical film, the physical architecture is transformed into a dynamic spectrum of light and color. The work reflects its counterpart work in the desert of AlUla, Saudi Arabia while also acknowledging the historical origins of the Light and Space movement on the West Coast of the United States.

Kimsooja To Breathe–Coachella Valley, photo by Lance Gerber

Through June 1, 2025 in Palm Springs: In the desert, where concepts of shelter, freedom, expansiveness, and enclosure have shaped midcentury dreams. Kapwani Kiwanga’s Plotting Rest, a pavilion-like structure reflects on the iconic midcentury design found in Palm Springs, signaling protection while offering none. Its roof, a lattice made of interlocking triangles, hovers overhead, allowing the elements to pass through and casting ever-changing shadows on the ground. Inspired by the quilting motif known as “flying geese,” this pattern resonates with the contested narratives of the Underground Railroad, serving as an encrypted guidance system for those fleeing slavery toward the perceived freedom of the North. Kiwanga’s sculpture fosters contemplation and hope while reminding us that history is marked by successive migrations.

Kapwani Kiwanga, Plotting Rest, photo by Lance Gerber

EXPERIENCE DESERT X

Hours and LocationsExhibition opening hours are from sunrise to sunset, except for Sunnylands Center & Gardens, Wednesday – Sunday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Visitors are encouraged to check details for each artists’ work at desertx.org. Free Admission.

The Desert X 2025 map of artist installations can be found online at desertx.org and via the Desert X app.

Leave No TraceDesert X encourages visitors to follow official Leave No Trace guidelines. Plan ahead and prepare, walk on designated paths, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, respect wildlife, don’t smoke, and be considerate of other visitors.

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Jesus Reyes

SAN JACINTO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Beaumont man has been arrested in connection with the death of a four-month-old baby.

The suspect, a 40-year-old man, was identified as an associate of the victim’s family. He was arrested Friday afternoon and remains in custody at the Larry Smith Correctional Facility. He has not been officially charged, but he could face murder charges.

Authorities said the case dates back to Aug. 23, 2024. Deputies responded to a home in San Jacinto after a report that a four-month-old was not breathing. The baby was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

“During the investigation, several injuries were located on the juvenile,” reads a news release by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

The baby was pronounced dead nearly a week after the original call. The Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit took over the investigation. An extensive investigation led detectives to determine that the juvenile died as a result of homicidal violence, RSO confirmed.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact Master Investigator D. Sandoval of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955–2777.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Talks over closing the Arenas District main road for safety reasons have circulated for years but are coming to a head now in light of the recent terrorist attack.

Several people have floated the idea of making Arenas Road pedestrian only to prevent risks to public safety.

News Channel 3 took those concerns to Palm Springs and checked in with bar-goers on their thoughts.

“This is a ‘gay haters Mecca,’ and they could do some serious damage just driving down the street,” Greg Begin, a Palm Springs resident, said.

Several locals that talked with News Channel 3 said they liked the idea of a closed street but are unsure what that could mean for parking, which is already limited in the area.

“My only concern is the parking lots being not closed off. That access to the parking lots where someone can drive up behind the building and still cause problems,” Chris Sustaire said.

That concern is shared by some business owners.

Dean Lavine, the owner of Blackbook, says the feelings are mixed. Some restaurant owners are open to the idea, but retailers on Arenas Road say a lack of parking would hurt revenue.

“If you’re coming to shop at a retail outlet, you might want to pop in really quickly, grab something and go. If you’re coming to a restaurant or bar, it might be fine to walk a block or two before super busy. So again, you want to make sure everyone can maximize the value for their own business,” Lavine said.

Mayor Ron deHarte says the topic of road closures have circulated for years and are becoming stronger following that attack. However, he doubts if that’s the answer and says a lot of logistics would go into that decision.

“How do you protect everybody and the entire city with 250 miles of streets? It becomes daunting to think that you can close down roads here or closed down roads there because that’s not the end solution,” deHarte said.

According to him, the city is focusing on public safety awareness and outreach, with several mass casualty trainings taking place during large events like Pride.

“We’ve got an incredible police department, an incredible fire department, and they very frequently are having community outreach, very frequently having meetings in Arenas, so that constant education and talking with the community is very important.”

PSPD Chief Andy Mills also addressed the fears, saying, “We want to make sure that the if there’s a reasonable fear that it will let you know and, and that, we can work together to make sure this community as safe as possible.”

Locals say until a decision is made, they’ll continue to enjoy the area.

“People come here to celebrate. People come here to mourn. When things happen, this is a community gathering place,” Lavine said.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Parents of elementary school students stranded on the side of the road during a field trip meltdown are now speaking with attorneys and considering legal action after what they describe as a traumatic and negligent ordeal.

The incident happened Wednesday evening as a private charter bus –  contracted by Desert Sands Unified School District but not operated by it – was returning third graders from James Carter Elementary School back from a trip to Legoland. According to school officials, the driver stopped abruptly on Cook Street in Palm Desert after a heated exchange with a parent chaperone, called 911, and refused to continue driving.

“The driver was yelling at kids, locked us inside, and then just walked off the bus,” said one parent, in a a formal complaint submitted to the district. They allege the driver also denied bathroom breaks and created what he calls a “dangerous and emotionally scarring” situation for students.

News Channel Three’s Garrett Hottle speaks with the mother of one of the children on the bus. (KESQ)

Videos shared with News Channel 3 show visibly shaken children climbing off the bus as law enforcement arrived and families scrambled to pick them up.

While Desert Sands says it’s reviewing the incident and providing counseling support to students, some parents say that’s not enough – and several are now in contact with legal counsel to assess options.

Civil Rights Attorney Megan Beaman Jacinto tells us she’s now in direct contact with at least four families and others indirectly as legal discussions begin. (KESQ)

The district clarified it does not manage the company’s operations, though it did hire them for the trip.

The bus company involved, Cardiff Limousine and Transportation, is privately owned and did not respond to request for comment on Thursday. 

News Channel Three’s Garrett Hottle reached out to Cardiff several times Friday to get their side of the story. Before Friday’s 5pm broadcast, he was told, Cardiff will not comment at this time, may send a statement at a later date.

News Channel Threes Garrett Hottle spoke with leadership at Cardiff Limousine and Transportation on Friday, and was told Cardiff would be providing a statement or explanation on the series of events precipitating the scene in an interview for tonight’s broadcast.

In an update, before our 5pm broadcast, Cardiff said they will not comment at this time, but may send a statement at a later date.

We hope to get their answers soon and will continue to reach out to all sides.

News Channel 3 will continue to follow this developing story, and provide any additional updates as they come in. 

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Temple Isaiah held a memorial service on Friday to memorialize the two Israeli embassy staff members who were shot and killed outside a Jewish Museum in Washington D.C.

For community members, a heartbreaking reminder of a pattern seen too often.

“It’s sad but unfortunately not unexpected. There’s a lot of hate.”

Jeffery Farber, Palm Springs resident

Hate that has shaken a community already on edge. Local faith leaders say they’re hearing more and more from congregants who are scared.

“You have people say ‘I’m afraid,’ ‘I don’t want to come out,’ ‘I don’t want to show a Jewish star,’ ‘I don’t want to wear a yamaka in public,’ ‘I don’t want to show any mark or sign that I’m Jewish.”

Rabbi Kenneth Emert, Temple Isaiah

The attack comes amid an alarming rise in anti-semitic incidents in the U.S., up 900% in the last decade.

An alarming statistic, but Rabbi Steven Rosenberg, a member of the National Advisory Board of Rabbis United, says in response, organizations like StandWithUs are ramping up outreach.

“A lot of it is education, a lot of it is being on the ground… filing civil rights.” 

Rabbi Steven Rosenberg, National Advisory Board of Rabbis United member

Still, the message to the Jewish community was one of resilience.

Local leaders were in attendance, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the Jewish community and standing firm against antisemitic violence.

“If you are afraid to go out then they won.” 

Jeffery Farber, Palm Springs resident

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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